The Michigan economy seems to have taken its toll on the child-birth rate in the state. Just 117,309 babies were born in 2009 in Michigan, the smallest supply of newborns since the end of World War II. The birthrate is just 11.8 per 1,000 Michiganders, the lowest since the 1870’s; the state’s all-time high was 27.6.

Many young residents of child-bearing age have been fleeing the state in recent years for work. Some doctors from fertility clinics have even said that citizens have had to drop out from their programs due to lack of funds or layoffs.